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How municipalities can adopt the National Building Code of Canada
Robertson, J. M.
Ser THl NzLt2 nr. 15? c , 2 BLDG
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA
DIVISION OF BUILDING RESEARCH
HOW MUNICIPALITiES CAN ADOPT THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF CANADA (A Study Prepared for the NRC Associate Cornmittee
o n the National Building Code)
b y J . M . R o b e r t s o n
A N A l L Y g * D
T e c h n i c a l Paper No. L67 o f the D l v i s i o n o f B u i l d i n g R e s e a r c h O T T A W A F e b r u a r y 1 9 5 4PREFACE
o n e of the services which the Drvision of Building R e s e a r c h o f t h e N a t i o n a l R e s e a r c h c o u n c i l provides is the n e c e s s a r y s e c r e t a r i a l a n d t e c h n i c a l assistance to the Associate c o m r n i t t e e o n the Natlonal Building code. T h i s Associate
c o m m i t t e e i s one of about 25 such committees appointed by the c o u n c i l t o c a r r y o u t s p e c i f i c a r l y assigned tasks. It is the respon-s i b i l i t y of the Arespon-srespon-sociate comrnittee on the National Building ctde t o k e e p under review and up to date the National Building code of
c a n a d a a n d t o p r o v i d e a l l associated services, in this way s t i m u l a t i n g a n d a s s i s t i n g p r o g r e s s towards standardization of l o c a l building regulations throughout Canada.
T h e n e c e s s a r y s u p p o r t i n g w o r k f o r t h e A s s o c l a t e c o m r n i t t e e l s done in the Bullding standards section of DBR of w h i c h Mr. R. s. Ferguson is head" The author of this report, M r . J' M" Robertson, ls an Administrative o f f i c e r i n the section a n d h e s e r v e s a s t h e s e c r e t a r y t o t h e Associate committee.
T h e National Bullding code is an advisory document, d r a f t e d in the form of a building bylaw, that is published at cost b y the National Research councll as a service to the provinces and m u n i c i p a l i t i e s o f c a n a d a . o n l y when adopted or enacted by an a p p r o p r i a t e m u n i c i p a l bytaw does the National Building code have l e g a l e f f e c t .
A c c o r d i n g l y , t h e p o w e r s of municipalities u n d e r the r e s p e c t i v e rnunicipal acts of the ten provinces have continued to be a m a t t e r o f i m p o r t a n c e t o t h e A s s o c i a t e c o m m l t t e e , a s h a v e a l s o t h e v a r y i n g provincial s t a t u t e s that affect building and which are
s u p e r i o r to all municlpal regulations" w i t h the willing and expert a s s i s t a n c e o f a u t h o r i t i e s l n a l l p r o v i n c e s , the Associate Comrnittee h a s been guided in its efforts so to frame the National Building C o d e that it is in close accord with such provincial legislationl and i n such form that it can be readily and properly put to legal use by m u n i c i p a l i t i e s t h r o u g h o u t the country.
s l n c e the provinces of canada delegate the authority to t h e l r municipalities f o r the control of building in different ways, and
s i n c e the National Buildlng Code has found such widespread acceprance, s o m e b e n e f i t rnight be gained in outlining the methods used for rnaking I o c a l u s e o f t h e c o d e " T h i s r e p o r t describes, in brief terrns, the m e t h o d s used by a nurnber of rnunicipalities a c r o s s c a n a d a in the a d o p t i o n , or enactment, of the code as a 1ocal buirding bylaw.
I t is hoped that this paper will prove of use to local a u t h o r i t i e s who are interested in the 'adoption, of the National B u i l d i n g code as a control for local building. A c c o r d i n g l y , t h e D i v i s i o n wil.l always welcome further cornments upon it and will a p p r e c i a t e , i n p a r t i c u l a r , a d v i c e o f a n y e r r o r s o r o m i s s i o n s , A l l c o m m u n i c a t t o n s r e g a r d i n g the paper should be addressed directly t o M r . J . M . R o b e r t s o n , c / o D i v i s l o n of Building Research, N a t i o n a l Research Council, Ottawa.
Ottawa
F e b r u a r y L 9 6 4
R . F . L e g g e t Director
(and Chairman ACNBC)
HOW MUNICIPALITIES CAN ADOPT
THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF CANADA ( A S t u d y P r e p a r e d f o r the NRC Associate Comrnittee
o n the National Building Code) b y
J . M . R o b e r t s o n
T h e p r o v i n c e s o f C a n a d a d r a w a u t h o r i t y for the control of b u i l d i n g and the rnaking of building regulations frorn the British North A r n e r i c a A c t " I n t u r n , t h r o u g h s e p a r a t e p r o v i n c i a l statutes, they pass o n t h i s a u t h o r i t y t o t h e i r r n u n i c i p a l i t i e s . E v e r y o r g a n i z e d m u n i c i p a l i t y i n c a n a d a therefore has the authority to write its own building bylaw. T h e w i d e s p r e a d a c c e p t a n c e o f the National Building Code has caused s o m e p r o v i n c i a l g o v e r n m e n t s t o arnend appropriate provincial acts to p e r r n i t t h e C o d e t o b e u s e d a s a l o c a l b u i t d i n g bylaw by:
( a ) a d o p t i o n b y r e f e r e n c e ( a s is the case in British colurnbia). ( b ) e n a c t i n g a b y l a w w h i c h permits the code to becorne a physical
p a r t o f t h e b y l a w ( a s i n t h e c a s e o f O n t a r i o ) .
T h e National Building Code of Canada is an advisory docurnent, w r i t t e n in the forrn of a building bylaw but having no legal status until it is a d o p t e d o r e n a c t e d b y a m u n i c i p a l c o u n c i l as the local bylaw.
T h e N a t i o n a l B u i l d i n g C o d e o f C a n a d a can be used p a r t as the local bylaw of any rnunicipatity wishing to do so, t h o s e p r o v i n c i a l s t a t u t e s w h i c h r n a k e direct reference to the t h r o u g h others which give the rnunicipalities the authority to o w n b u i l d i n g b y l a w s .
i n w h o l e o r i n e i t h e r t h r o u g h C o d e , o r p r e p a r e t h e i r
T a b l e I I i s t s t h e r e g u l a t i o n s o f t h e p r o v i n c e s which contain ref-e r ref-e n c ref-e s t o t h ref-e N a t i o n a l B u i l d i n g C o d ref-e "
z
-T A B -T , I I I
T h e P r o v i n c e s
T h e r e are four ways in which the National u s e d b y a m u n i c i p a l i t y :
M e t h o d ( a ) - Adopted in whole or in part by direct B . C " )
B u i l d i n g Code can be P r o v i n c e R e g u l a t i o n s Referring to the National
r r v v ^ r r u e I B u i l d i n g C o d e
I
A l b e r t aI _ C i t y A c t
Town and Rural Planning Act B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a
| - Municipal Act V a n c o u v e r Charter
Manitoba I _ Nit
N e w f o u n d l a n d
I - Local Government Act
City of Corner Brook Act Building Standards Act Fire Prevention Act New Brunswick
I - Fire prevention Act
Community Planning Act N o v a S c o t i a | - N i t o n t a r i o | - P l a n n i n g A c t T o u r i s t E stablishment Act P r i n c e E d w a r d I s l a n d | - N U Quebec I - f.,fit S a s k a t c h e w a n I - C i t y A c t r e f e r e n c e ( e " g . , Victoria,
, 3
-Method_(b) - Enacted ae a bylaw in whole or in part where it forms a p h y s i c a l part of the bylaw as either an attached e c h e d u l e or appendix (e. g., L o n d o n , Ont" ) M e t h o d ( c ) - Referred to in the bylaw (e. g., Edrnonton, Alta. ) M e t h o d (d) - uged as a baeis where the bylaw ie completely reprinted,
r e j e c t i n g oofire requirements a n d a d d i n g others ( e " 9., Mission Clty,
" . " . ) ,
S t n c e each province of Canada provides ite municipalities w i t h the author -i t y to regulate bu-ild-ing -in a d-ifferent way, -it -is necessary to d-iscuss the m e t h o d s of adoptlng the National Building code for each province"
A L B E R T A
T h e municipalitles o f Alberta derive their authority for enacting building bylaws from the city Act, and the Town and vi.llage Act. The city Act a1lows a city to write its own building bylaw or to adopt the N a t i o n a l Building Code, vLzz
r r ( 3 8 6 ) The Council rnay pass bylaws for:
( " ) a d o p t i n g and constituting as building regulations
( i ) the regulations known as the National Building code ( C a n a d a ) or " " . w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n o f a n y s p e c i f i c p r o v i s i o n s .
( i i ) a n y a m e n d m e n t s to the National Building Code (Canada)" I' T h e Town and Village Acts allow these municipalities t o w r i t e their own building bylaws but make no rnention of the Nationat Building C o d e " O n the other hand, The Town and Rural Planning Act states that a m u n i c i p a l i t y t h a t h a s an approved plan under the Act can adopt the N a t i o n a l Building Code to regulate buildings.
T h e r e follows a surrrmary of the e>cperiences of three cities of A l b e r t a in ttadoptingrr the National Building Code under the terrns of the C i t y A c t :
(i)
4
-C a l g a r v ( p o p . 250r 000) ie meticuloue in ite reference to the
pro-v i n c l a l authority ln Bylaw #5700 whlch states:
r r w h e r e a s section 386 of The City Act of the Provlnce of Alberta pro-vided that a clty may by bylaw adopt and constitute as building
regulations the regulations known as the National Building Code
( C a n a d a ) . . . .
r r A n d whereas the Assoclate Commlttee on the National Building Code o f t h e National Research Council has revised lhe provlsions of the C o d e and has reissued the Code under the title National Building Code o f C a n a d a 1960 and it is expedient that the City repeal and replace
Bylaw #4682 with a new building bylaw which w111 incorporate certain
p o r t i o n s o f t h e N a t i o n a l B u i l d i n g C o d e o f C a n a d a 1 9 6 0 . . . . t l
C a l g a r y then spells out in detail the Admlnistration s e c t i o n and calls u p P a r t s 2 to 9 inclusive as attached schedules with alterations as r e q u i r e d , v i z : r r P a r t 3 of the Code, attached as Schedule B to this B y l a w ag arnended (hereunder) is hereby made and constituted as part of this Bylaw. rr
C a l g a r y , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d MetJrod (b) (see page 3)"
E d r n o n t o n ( p o p . 2 8 0 , 0 0 0 ) m a k e s n o r e f e r e n c e w h a t s o e v e r t o t h e p r o
-vincial statute (City Act) and, eince it uses the Uniform Building Code
issued by the International Conference of Building Officials, rnust
re-p r o d u c e the UBC comre-pletely wlth Bome alterations to accomrnodate
l o c a l needs. I t recognizes the National Building Code of Canada by
s t a t i n g in the bylaw (Section 105b):
f f l n s t e a d of the provisions of Chap. 23 to 28 (design requirements) the
corrrparable requirernents of the National Bullding Code of Canada,
latest edition, may be applied as the alternate authorlty providing that
the Chapter of the National Building Code . . . is used only in its e n t i r e t y . I t
5
-E d r n o n t o n , then, has realry appried Method (a) (since it calls up t h e N B C b y r e f e r e n c e ) a s w e l l ae Method (c) (see page 3)"
( i i i ) carnrose ( p o p . 2000) does not refer to the provincial authority either but refers inetead to rrrhe Interim Developrnent Bylaw,, rr w h i c h ls controlled by the Interim Development officer. L o c a l B y 1 a w N o . 8 r 3 s t a t e s r r r h e council of the city of camrose . " . r e s o l v e s a s f o l l o w s :
l . T h e follo*ittg s t a n d a r d e for construction of buildings is h e r e b y a d o p t e d . . . .
( a ) The standards for general construction shall be those i n c l u d e d in the National Building code of canada r960, a s amended " . . e x c e p t i n g A d m i n i s t r a t i o n , p l u m b i n g a n d Lighting and Power. il
T h e Bylaw then lays down details of items not included in the N a t i o n a l Building Code, such as fences, etc"
C a m r o s e , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d Method (a) (see page Zl. A tlpical e x a m p l e of the method used by a
u n d e r the terms of the Town and Village Act, and the i s g i v e n by:
s m a l l e r municipality Town Planning Act
B o w n e s s T o w n ( p o p " 9 0 0 0 ) r e f e r s t o Planning Act in the local bylaw whlch t h e T o w n of Bowness, pursuant to the P l a r i n i n g Act . " . h e r e b y enacts
t h e T o w n and Rural s t a t e s I t T h e C o u n c i l o f
T o w n and Rural
( " ) € L S o o " b u i . l d i n g r e g u l a t i o n s ,
( i i ) adopting and constituting as building regurations, t h o s e pubrished under the titre of rhe Nationar B u i l d i n g code of canada I953 and any amendrnents
" " . o l l
6
-B R I T I S H COLUM-BIA
A I I municlpalities o f B. C. derive authority for building
regu-l a t i o n s f r o r n a slngle provincial e t a t u t e , The Municipal Act. S e c t i o n Zl6 o f the Act states that
r r r h e (local) council mzy, ... by bylaw adopt as regulations: ( a ) Either in whole or in part the National Building code.' N o t e that no issue date is rnentioned.
E x a m p l e s of the way in which municipalities m a k e use of this
r e g u l a t i o n a r e :
( i ) v i c t o r i a ( p o p . 55, 000) rnakes full use of the opportunity to adopt, by r e f e r e n c e , t h e N a t i o n a l Building Code. I t s building bylaw (No" 53I4) p a s s e d on 7 January, 1963, simply states rThe Municipal Council of t h e C o r p o r a t i o n o f the City of Victoria enacts:
T o the extent not lnconslstent with the said Municipal Act . " . i s h e r e b y adopted as regulations the whole of the National Building Code
s a v e and except Part seven thereof. T h e National Building code
r e f e r r e d t o in Section 7L6 of. the Municipal Act"rr The entire bylaw is c o n t a i n e d on one piece of paper.
V i c t o r i a , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( a ) ( s e e page Zl" ( i i ) V a n c o u v e r ( p o p . 3851 000) enjoys a private Vancouver
w h i c h s t a t e s u n d e r S e c t i o n 3 0 5 :
City Charter
r r r h e council may rnake bylaws for adopting
" . . a n y o f the regulations o r specifications o f " . . t h e N a t i o n a l B u i l d i n g C o d e o f C a n a d a " r '
s e p t e m b e r 1 9 6 0 t h e e x i s t i n g b y l a w w a s amended to incorporate all t h e s e c t i o n s o f P a r t 4 , 1 9 5 3 e d i t i o n , as amended to suit local needs. v a n c o u v e r , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( b ) under its own charter
( s e e p a g e 3 ) " In
( iii) V e r n o n ( p o p . 10r 250) calls up the Municipal Act and uses its a u t h o r i t y t o adopt, by reference, t i : r e l { a t i o n a l B u i l d i n g C o d e a n d i t s Shorter Form" B y l a w N o . I250 states trthe National
B u i l d i n g C o d e o f C a n a d a ( I 9 9 3 ) i s s u e d b y t h e A s s o c i a t e C o m r n i t t e e . . . a s a m e n d e d o r r e - e n ? c t e d f r o r n t i m e t o t i m e i s h e r e b y
a d o p t e d to the intent that they shall be deemed to forrn a part of this bylaw. rl
I t T h e Short Forrn .. . forrns part of this bylaw and are the r e g u l a t i o n s which apply to Group (I) buildings. rr
( G r c , r p ( l ) b u i l d i n g s a r e t h o s e w h i c h d o n o t e x c e e d t w o s t o r e y s a n d 4 0 0 0 s q f t ) .
V e r n o n , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( a ) ( s e e p a g e Z l "
( i v ) N o r t h V a n c o u v e r D i s t r i c t ( p o p . 39r 000) has written its own byLaw b u t inserts a requirernent which states:
I t W h e r e v e r this bylaw contravenes or the rninirnurn require-m e n t s are exceeded by the National Building Code, the National B u i l d i n g Code shall apply. "
N o r t h V a n c o u v e r D i s t r i c t h a s , in effect, used both Methods (a) a n d ( c ) .
S a a n i c h , D i s t r i c t ( p o p . 4 8 , 0 0 0 ) c a l l s u p t h e I 9 6 0 C o d e i n i t s b y l a w by appending each Part and Section separately as shown b y the following exarnple:
I t A p p e n d i x 2: National Building Code of Canada, 1960 - Part 3 - Uee and Occupancy as arnended and annexed to this b y l a w . l l
S a a n i c h , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( b ) ( s e e p a g e 3 ) .
( - . i ) M i s s i o n C i t y , T o w n ( p o p . 3 , 2 5 0 1 u s e s t h e S h o r t e r F o r r n o f t h e
( v )
8
-code for larger buildings in the same way as the shorter Form by stating in the bylaw that they trshall be governed by the provisions o f t h e N B c 1 9 5 3 .. . whlch ie hereby adopted and made part of this bylaw" one copy . . . shall be placed on file . . . for public inspection ... and marked rOfficial Gopy, Building Bylawt. tt
T h e r e is no reference in the bylaw to the Munlclpal Act which permits this action"
M i s s l o n City, therefore, h a s u s e d a combination of Methods (d) and ( a ) ( s e e p a g e s 3 a n d Z ) .
MANITOBA
The munlcipalltles of Manitoba derive their authority for regulating building through a single provincial statute, The Municlpal Act" The Act d o e s n o t mention the National Building Code but otherwise allows a municipal c o u n c i l to prepare a local bylaw.
A few examples of how the National Building Code is used, are f o l l o w s :
( i ) B r a n d o n ( p o p . Z 8 r 0 0 0 ) uses the Shorter Form. B y l a w N o . 3Z?9 states: r r w h e r e a s the National Research councit of canada has prepared a f o r m of Building Code which with certain alterations is deemed to be s u i t a b l e for use withln the city of Brandon; N o w therefore the
C o u n c i l . " o i 6 m e e t i n g d u l y a s s e m b l e d d o t h h e r e b y enact as follows:rr r r P a g e s numbered 5 to 102 inclusive of A Shorter Form of the National B u i l d i n g C o d e o f C a n a d a ( 1 9 5 3 ) p r e p a r e d b y N a t l o n a l Research Council, a c o p y o f which is annexed hereto and rnade part of this bylaw is
h e r e b y e n a c t e d . " " s u b j e c t t o s u c h w r i t t e n a m e n d m e n t s a s ? r € € n -d o r s e -d h e r e i n . t l
No rnention is rnade ln the bylaw of the Municipal Act as authority.
9
-( i i ) M o r r i s , T o w n ( p o p . 1400) refers directly to the Municipal Act a s authority for adopting the code: rlwhereas the Municipal Act o f M a n i t o b a provid€s . . . " t rhe bylaw then continues to state t h a t r r t h e N a t i o n a r B u i l d i n g c o d e o f c a n a d a ( 1 9 5 3 ) i s s u e d b y . . " s h a l l be employed as a baeis for approval of building perrnits
. . o . r ,
M o r r i s , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( a ) ( s e e p a g e Z ) .
N E W BRUNSWICK
T h e s i x i n c o r p o r a t e d c i t i e s o f N . B . derive their powers for p a s s i n g bylaws frorn special charters. O t h e r rnunicipalities i . 1 1 a y p a s s b y l a w s under the Towns Act, the villages Act, or the comrnuniry
P l a n n i n g Act. T h e Community Planning Act is the only one which refers t o t h e C o d e a n d i n c l u d e s a c l a u s e which states:
( 2 6 ) I ' T h e C o u n c i l h a y , . . .
( a ) p r e s c r i b e s t a n d a r d s o f c o n s t r u c t i o n
" " . a n d r n a y . " . a d o p t b y r e f e r e n c e all or part of the National Building Code or a S h o r t e r F o r r n " t r
N o date or issue is mentioned" H o w do sorre rnunicipalities r n a k e u s e o f t h e i r p o w e r s t o r e g u l a t e building under the conditions available?
E x a r n p l e s a r e :
( i ) F r e d e r i c t o n ( p o p . 20r 000) uses the Community planning Act as i n i t s building bylaw states that the NBC l960 and its a r e r r a d o p t e d a n d d e c l a r e d t o f o r m p a r t o f this by1aw" 'r
t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( a ) ( s e e p a g e Z ) .
M o n c t o n ( p o p " 4 4 r 0 0 0 ) u s e e t h e I 9 5 3 C o d e and through the bylaw i t s entirety and rnade part of this s t a t e s that it rris incorporated in
b y l a w " I t a u t h o r i t y and S u p p l e m e n t s F r e d e r i c t o n ,
( i i )
1 0
-M o n c t o n , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d -M e t h o d ( b ) ( e e e page 3).
( i i i ) o r o r n o c t o , T o w n ( p o p . l z , 0 0 0 ) d o e s n o t r e f e r t o a prowlncial o r d i n a n c e either, as authority for passing a bylaw. T h e building b y l a w s t a t e s r t r h e N a t i o n a l B u i l d i n g c o d e ( 1 9 6 0 ) publiehed by ... is h e r e b y a d o p t e d a n d d e c l a r e d t o f o r m p a r t of this bylaw.rr
O r o r n o c t o , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( b ) ( s e e page 3).
( i v ) B a t h u r e t , T o w n ( p o p . 5500) appears to enjoy a private charter as w e l l . T h e r e p l y r e c e i v e d t o t h e r e q u e s t f o r a c o p y o f the bylaw to d e t e r m i n e t h e p r o c e d u r e u s e d i n a d o p t i n g the Code merely stated r r r h e National Building code wae adopted by resolution of rown
C o u n c i l . T h e r e was no reference to prowincial or other authority. rl B a t h u r s t , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( a ) ( s e e page Z).
NE WFOUNDLAND
T h e municipalities o f this province derive their authority for e n a c t i n g local building bylaws from the Local Governrnent Act, The City of C o r n e r Brook Act, The Buildlng Standards Act, and the City of St. Johnts A c t . E x c e p t for the St. Johnls Act, these permit the adoption of the National B u i l d i n g Code by reference as a building bylaw.
N o t e : Although it is known that Newfoundlandls two cities and seven of i t s t o w n s are using the NBC, no copies of local building bylaws h a d b e e n r e c e i v e d a t t h e t i r n e o f i s s u i n g t h i s r e p o r t " T h e r e f o r e n o e x a m p l e s are quoted"
N O V A SCOTIA
The Municipal Act and rown Act provide the authority for r n u n i c i p a l i t i e s t o pass building bylaws but do not make direct reference to t h e N a t i o n a l Building Code" Haltfax and Sydney operate under special c h a r t e r s but neither are yet using the Code" Dartrnouth, Nova Scotiats t h i r d c i t y , m a k e s o n l y a r e f e r e n c e t o t h e 1953 issue.
t l
-S o m e y e a r B ago the Provincial D e p a r t m e n t of Municipal A f f a i r s endorsed the Shorter Form 1953 as a building bylaw for the s r n a l l e r municipalities a n d m a d e copies available to any who wished t o u s e thern" T h e s e copies had a new cover with the Nova Scotia Coat o f Arms placed on it.
1 1 r 0 0 0 ) a r e t w o t o w n s t h i s arrangernent. ( b ) ( s e e p a g e 3 ) . and Arnherst (pop.
(i) Antigonish (pop. 4000)
which have adopted the S h o r t e r l - o r m under T h e s e t o w n s , t h e r e f o r e , h a v e u s e d M e t h o d
ONTARIO
T h e P l a n n i n g Act, amended in I95p, permitted the adoption o f the National Building Code by reference" T h e Act stated rfor the p u r p o s e s of any bylaw passed " . . f o r adopting . " . in whole or in part the N a t i o n a l Building Code of Canada ... with such changes as the Council m a y c o n s i d e r n e c e s s a r y . . . . t t
N o issue or date is mentioned"
T h e revised Planning Act (19621 alters the above so that the C o d e m u s t n o w b e i n c l u d e d i n t h e b y l a w i n s t e a d o f b y m e r e reference. I t i s s o w o r d e d t h a t i t a p p e a r s n e c e s s a r y t o i n c l u d e c o p i e s o f all the S t a n d a r d s and Specifications called up in the Code as physical parts of t h e b y l a w " I t would be acceptable to have a r'legaIrr copy so cornpiled as t h e C l e r k t s certified bylaw, but the copies used by the Building Departrnent c o u l d call up these specifications by titte and date" Municipalities w h i c h p r e p a r e d their bylaws based on the rtoldil Planning Act are perrnitted to c o n t i n u e a s b e f o r e .
( i ) 9 t ! a * a ( p o p . 2 6 8 1 0 0 0 ) d o e s n o t m a k e r e f e r e n c e t o t h e P l a n n i n g A c t i n i t s n e w b u i l d i n g bylaw, No. 354-1962. T h e bylaw calls up all p a r t s of the Code except Part l, Administration, w h i c h has been re-w r i t t e n completely for Ottare-wats needs. T h e other Parts are called u p a s f o l l o w s :
t z
-E x a m p l e :
I t P a r t 3 , U s e a n d O c c u p a n c y , of NBC 1960... and set out as s c h e d u l e B h e r e t o , i s a d o p t e d , s u b j e c t to the ... changes eet f o r t h ( b e l o w ) . I '
P a r t 3 is then appended to the bylaw and forms a physical part of it. O t t a w a , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( b ) ( s e e page 3).
(ii) L o n d o n (pop. l?0r 000) refers to the original planning Act in her b y l a w a n d s t a t e s :
r r w h e r e a s pursuant to the prowisions of the .. . planning Act . . . the c i t y of London is empowered to make reguratioos . . . and adopts in w h o l e or in part the National Building Code of Canada, I960 edition " . . a t t a c h e d t o t h i s b y i a w a s A p p e n d i c e s A to N ... ott
S o m e Parts and Sections of the NBC have been altered in Londonrs b y l a w to satisfy local needs using a method very similar to that used in Ottawa.
L o n d o n , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( b ) (see page 3).
( i i i ) F o r t E r i e , T o w n ( p o p . 9000) does not make reference to the provincial s t a t u t e i n B y l a w N o " 1 5 5 8 p a s s e d l n N o v e m b e r 196L" The Adminis-t r a Adminis-t i o n parAdminis-t has been alAdminis-tered Adminis-to suiAdminis-t local needs buAdminis-t Adminis-the NaAdminis-tional Building C o d e is called up in the bylaw, vLz:
t r r h e National Building code and Amendments thereto, issued by " . " is h e r e b y a d o p t e d . . " t o f o r m p a r t o f t h i s b y l a w . i l
N o date or issue is mentioned; t h i s p e r r n i t s the municipalityto u s e the l a t e s t e d i t i o n o f t h e C o d e .
F o r t E r i e , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( b ) ( s e e page 3).
1 3
-b y merely placlng a new cover on the pu-blication upon which is p r i n t e d the title and nurnber of the local bylaw.
B r a c e b r i d g e , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( b ) ( s e e p a g e 3 ) . PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
P " E . I . ! s o n l y c i t y , c h a r l o t t e t o w n , h a s a d o p t e d t h e 1 9 5 3 c o d e
u n d e r the terms of its special charter. T h e towns and villages of thls
p r o v i n c e draw similar authority from the Town Act and the Village S e r v i c e Act, although nelther rnake direct reference to the National
B u i l d i n g code. o n e example of a method adopted to use the NBC will
s u f f i c e .
( i ) s u r n m e r s i d e , T o w n ( p o p . 9 0 0 0 ) h a s a d o p t e d t h e 1 9 6 0 C o d e w i t h o u t r e f e r e n c e to any provlncial s t a t u t e , i n the following manner:
I ' o o . and it is hereby enacted and ordained . . . by the council of
t h e T o w n o f sumrnerside a s f o l l o w s ... a bylaw to augrnent the
b u i l d i n g bylaw of the Town of sumrnerside, s a i d b u i l d i n g bylaw b e i n g the National Building code of canada, havlng been adopted b y the Town of Sumrnerside as the building bylaw " . . " r '
S u m m e r s i d e , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( a ) ( s e e p a g e ? ) "
Q U E B E C
T h e municipalities o f Quebec derive their authority for the
c o n t r o l and erectlon of buildings frorn the cities and Towns Act and T h e Municipal Code, neither of which rnentions the National Building C o d e .
S e v e r a l municipalities o f this prowince are using the Code in
I o c a l b y l a w s .
S h e r b r o o k e ( p o p " 6 6 , 5 0 0 ) t o e n s u r e p u b l i c s a f e t y a n d a n c e w i t h
" " . P a r t 8 , N B C
s t a t e s in lts bylaw that rr . . . construction t h a t o f t h e w o r k e r s s h a l l b e i n a c c o r d
-r 9 5 3 " t l ( i )
1 4
-containe a requlrement calling up the Code for the control l e n g t h of timber beams in houses"
S h e r b r o o k e , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( d ) ( s e e p a g e 3 ) .
( i i ) P o i n t e C l a i r e (pop. 23, 000) adopts the Code outright. The building b y l a w states:
i l I t is hereby ordained and enacted as follows: the National Building C o d e of Canada which comprises ( l i e t e 1953 Parts) ehall be enacted and c o n s i d e r e d as the Building Code of the City of Pointe Glaire" rr
P o i n t e Claire, t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( a ) ( s e e p a g e 2 1 .
(iii) B e a c o n s f i e l d , T o w n ( p o p . 10r000) has adopted the Shorter Form with s o r r r e arnendments to the Administration p a r t to ensure that it does not conflict with any rrprovlncial statute or regulation. rl
B e a c o n s f i e l d , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( a ) ( s e e p a g e ? 1 .
SASI(ATCHEWAN
Saskatchewan allows its rnunicipalities to pass local building bylaws through four provincial statutes, viz. , the City Act, Town Act, Village Act,
and the Rural Municipality Act. Of the four, only the Ctty Act provides for the a d o p t i o n o f t h e N a t i o n a l B u i l d i n g C o d e as a local bylaw, but this does not pre-v e n t t h e o t h e r r n u n i c i p a l i t i e s f r o m enactlng a bylaw for their use.
T h e C i t y A c t states,
t r T h e Councll may rnake bylaws:
5 8 ( f ) a d o p t i n g and constituting as buildlng regulations, ( i ) . ". the Natlonal Building Code (Canada). r l
N o d a t e o r issue is mentioned" N o r t h B a t t l e f o r d ( p o p . 1 1 , 0 0 0 ) a u t h o r i t y t o p a s s B y l a w N o . 7 7 L C o d e , 1 9 5 3 e d i t i o n " T h e b y l a w I t also o f the d o e s n o t r e f e r t o t h e C i t y A c t f o r which calls up the National Building s t a t e s :
( i i i )
C O N C L U D I N G R E M A R K S
It would appear frorn the lirnited o f r n u n i c i p a l i t i e s p r e f e r t o attach the Code, r a t h e r t h a n t o a d o p t b y r e f e r e n c e only.
1 5
-r -r w h e -r e a s it ie deemed advisable to adopt as the building bylaw
o f .. . North Battleford, T h e National Building code of canada,
1 9 5 3 , w i t h c e r t a i n c h a n g e s t h e r e i n ... the council .. . enacts a s f o l l o w s . . . s u b j e c t t o v a r i a t i o n s a n d amendments ... the N a t i o n a l Building code of canada, !953 . . . is hereby adopted
l l
N o r t h B a t t l e f o r d , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( a ) ( s e e page z).
( i i ) S w i f t C u r r e n t ( p o p . 1 2 r 0 0 0 ) d o e s n o t r e f e r to the City Act which adopts the e i t h e r as authority for passing Bylaw No. 9
S h o r t e r F o r m o f t h e 1 9 5 3 C o d e a s f o l l o w s :
rrrhe council of the city of swift current in council assernbled e n a c t s a s f o l l o w s :
( 1 ) s e c t l o n s 1 t o l 3 i n c l u s i v e o f A s h o r t e r F o r m of the Nationar B u i l d i n g C o d e o f C a n a d a , 1 9 5 3 e d i t i o n , prepared by " " " a n d h e r e b y adopted by the city of swift current subject to such d e l e t i o n s and additions as hereunder set out. rr
S w i f t C u r r e n t , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( a ) ( s e e page Zl"
c a n o r a , T o w n ( p o p " 2000) does refer to the Town Act as authority
f o r p a s s i n g B y l a w N o . 3 8 5 w h i c h states:
r r u n d e r the authority . . . of the Town Act . . . the council of the T o w n o f C a n o r a e n a c t s a s f o l l o w s :
( z ) t h i s b y l a w s h a l l b e c o n s t r u e d i n t e r m s o f the provisions of t h e National Building code of canada and alr amendments t h e r e t o , f o r m u l a t e d b y . " . and to form part of this bylaw.It
C a n o r a , t h e r e f o r e , h a s u s e d M e t h o d ( b ) ( s e e page 3).
s u r v e y rnade that the rnajority o r parts of it, to the bylaw
1 6
-I t can be seen that the direct reference in a provincial etatute t o t h e National Building Code aE an acceptable local bullding bylaw provides a c o n v e n i e n t arrangement f o r its rradoptlon. tr It is aleo clear that the lack o f a d i r e c t r e f e r e n c e t o t h e C o d e i n a p r o v i n c i a l A c t does not prevent a m u n i c i p a l i t y f r o m enacting it for local use as demonstrated by the nurnber o f r n u n i c i p a l i t i e s i n M a n i t o b a and Quebec, which have made such use of it. I t i s , t h e r e f o r e , t o b e h o p e d t h a t i n d u e c o u r g e t h e r e m a i n i n g p r o v i n c e s w i l l include similar references to the National Building Code in their l e g i s l a t i o n r e l a t i n g to municipalities. T h i s w o u l d p r o b a b l y p r o v i d e real s t i m u l u s to the wider adoption of the National Building Code throughout C a n a d a .
